Diorama

John Nash constructed the Regent Park Crescent in 1827 as one of the most important compositions of Georgian London. All buildings were constructed as matching residential townhouses, apart from one peculiar building in the western terrace, the Diorama. The only surviving example of a 1820s Diorama in the world, it is a predecessor of the moving picture houses.

Project Details +

Project Details

LOCATION: London, UK
CLIENT: Lendlease
DATE: 2017-2018
STATUS: Concept Design
SIZE: 2,400 m2 office space

Credits +

Credits

ACME: Ana Arrebola Martinez, Eleni Meladaki, Loh Li Zhi, Friedrich Ludewig, Nicholas Chrysostomou, Shaban ladha

1827 Nash Diorama Elevation

1827 Diorama Section

1835 Diorama Moving Painting Performance

Electricity or Photography had not yet been invented, so in order to bring images alive, vast scenes were painted onto translucent canvas, and brought to life with strategic use of gaslights and daylight, curtains and flaps to create different scenes and moods out of the single painting for the amazed crowds. Dioramas fell out of fashion in the 1850s and the building was used thereafter as a church, a rheumatic hospital, an arts centre, theatre and charity offices.

1829 Diorama

1853 Baptist Chapel

1986 Hospital / Arts Centre

The Diorama presents an opportunity for conversion into an outstanding contemporary office headquarters, while also preserving the legacy of the building. The rotating stage of the Diorama is converted into a rotating foyer, café and screening space, creating an immersive 360 degree projection experience. The 1920 hospital floors are demolished, and a lightweight timber structure inserted into the original walls to create new, open and interconnected office spaces.

2017

Demolition

2020

Existing section

Proposed section

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